The Village of Babylon has established a new, paid Facade Improvement Board to disperse matching grants to business owners interested in sprucing up their buildings. Mayor Mary Adams announced the creation of the board and the grant program during a public hearing on Tuesday, February 24th.

Funding and Purpose

The grants are intended to specifically assist the downtown business district, particularly “those stores and shops that have been in business for years”. Funding is generated through a “downtown business improvement fee” that the village collects from developers constructing new retail space. This fee is set at $2 per square foot.

Adams noted that while the improvement board “doesn’t have $20,000 that they’re going to hand out,” the fund currently holds just over $3,600.

How the Grants Work

The grants can be applied to a variety of facade improvements, ranging from new awnings and flowerpots to power washing. Businesses applying must secure permission from the property owners before beginning the work. Trustee Jeff Szabo will work with the new board in an advisory capacity.

The five board members, who will each receive $1,000 annually, will conduct site inspections and meet monthly to discuss applications, evaluate proposed work, and determine the amount of the matching grants. The village’s architectural review board will also provide input to ensure the work is consistent with Babylon’s aesthetic standards.

The New Board Members

The paid board replaces a previous volunteer committee. Mayor Adams appointed the five members to three-year terms based on their expertise in design, architecture, construction, and business.

The appointed board members are:

  • Charles Torres (Chairman): Has a background in business, design, and management.
  • Peter Buser: Expertise is in construction and planning design.
  • Carrie O’Farrell: Senior partner and manager of the environmental resource and wetlands assessment division at Nelson Pope Voorhis in Melville.
  • Tom Vitale: Serves as president of the village’s chamber of commerce and is the director of the Babylon Public Library.
  • Ken Rogers: A developer and the only member of the previous volunteer committee to be appointed to the new board.

Rogers, who was reached for comment on Thursday, stated that he believes the program will benefit the village overall. He added, “I think it’s great that we can keep a look at the downtown and see if there are any areas that need to be addressed”.

However, the appointment of Rogers is notable because he previously received criticism from community members after demolishing two historic buildings at Main Street and Mansfield Road: the Selah Smith Carll House (built circa 1826) in 2018, and the adjacent South Side Signal Building (built circa 1869) in 2019. Rogers had unsuccessfully sought a historical preservation designation for the latter building, explaining that without the designation, preservation was not financially sensible.

Previous Grant Success

The former volunteer committee reviewed about a dozen applications for matching grants. One grant was distributed last year: $500 to the Good Hair Day salon. Owner Crystal Freyer said the $500 from the village “was still helpful” for the overall $2,800 upgrade, which included painting and a new awning. Freyer feels the improvements “made the space more welcoming from the street” and has been receiving compliments from patrons.